1
of
1
The Birth of Tragedy
Out of the Spirit of Music
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 20,689 ratings, 1,207 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2600
Unit price
/
Unavailable
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Birth of Tragedy
$2600
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Presents an argument for the necessity for art in life. This book is based on the author's enthusiasms for Greek tragedy, for the philosophy of Schopenhauer and for the music of Wagner. It outlines a distinction between two central forces: the Apolline, representing beauty and order, and the Dionysiac, a primal or ecstatic reaction to the sublime.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche delves into the heart of ancient Greek culture, shedding light on its glorious artistic achievements, particularly in the realm of tragedy. In this profound exploration, Nietzsche grapples with the sombre beauty that lies within Greek tragedies, examining the interplay between two opposing artistic forces: the Apollonian, representing order and rationality, and the Dionysian, embodying chaos and passion. Through his ingenious analysis, Nietzsche endeavours to answer why tragic art, which often depicts suffering and despair, brings us profound aesthetic pleasure and a deeper understanding of existence.
Dedicated to his contemporary Richard Wagner, Nietzsche suffuses the text with his admiration for Greek literature, particularly tragic drama, along with his influences from Arthur Schopenhauer’s philosophy and Wagner's musical drama, notably "Tristan Und Isolde". The book introduces the reader to Nietzsche’s groundbreaking thesis that "only as an aesthetic phenomenon are existence and the world justified." This notion posits that life's intrinsic value and meaning are best appreciated through artistic lenses, where our experiences, even those filled with suffering, gain a form of exquisite and transcendental beauty.
First published in 1871, The Birth of Tragedy was Nietzsche’s debut work, marking the beginning of his journey as a philosopher. His distinction between the Apollonian and Dionysian spirits is a central theme, inviting readers to contemplate how these contrasting forces coalesce within tragic art to reflect deeper truths about human nature and the human condition. Nietzsche's treatise thus serves as both a painstakingly detailed study of Greek culture and a timeless meditation on the broader relationship between art and life.
The book's impact extends beyond its academic contributions; it challenges readers to look anew at the role of suffering in their own lives, transforming pain into a source of beauty and wisdom. Nietzsche’s reverence for tragedy as an art form compels us to embrace the duality of existence and find solace and meaning in the most unexpected of places.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche is often praised for its deep and insightful exploration of ancient Greek culture and its profound influence on Western thought. Reviewers appreciate Nietzsche's compelling thesis on the interplay between Apollonian and Dionysian elements in art and life. Some critique the book for its complexity and dense prose, but it remains highly respected in philosophical and literary circles.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780140433395
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 27 May 1993
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Classics
Contributors:
- Translated by Shaun Whiteside
- Edited by Michael Tanner
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 8.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 123g
Pages: 160
About the Author
Friedrich Nietzsche was born near Leipzig in 1844, the son of a Lutheran clergyman. At 24 he was appointed to the chair of classical philology at Basle University, where he stayed until forced by his health to retire in 1879. Here, he wrote all his literature, including Thus Spake Zarathustra, and developed his idea of the Superman. He became insane in 1889 and remained so until his death in 1900. Shaun Whiteside has translated widely from French, German and Italian. Michael Tanner is a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He is particularly interested in Wagner and Nietzsche.
Also by Friedrich Nietzsche
View all-
Beyond Good and Evil
Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche is a profound exploration of morality, truth, and the essence of human existence. Departing radically from traditional Western philosophy, Nietzsche embarks on a daring critique of centuries-old beliefs. He challenges the moral foundations and metaphysical assumptions that have shaped Western thought. In this pivotal work, Nietzsche dismantles the dichotomous concepts of "good" and...Paperback$2000Elsewhere:$2300Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
On the Genealogy of Morals
On the Genealogy of Morals is an essential work for understanding the philosophical revolution brought about by Friedrich Nietzsche. This profound and intellectually stimulating text is a companion to his earlier work Beyond Good and Evil, and it delves deeply into Nietzsche's radical ideas on human psychology and ethics. In a series of three essays, Nietzsche embarks on an incisive...Paperback$2100Elsewhere:$2300Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche is a profound exploration of philosophical thoughts, conveyed through the allegorical journey of its protagonist, Zarathustra. It follows Zarathustra's descent from his mountain hermitage to share his wisdom with humanity, articulating revolutionary ideas about the human condition, morality, and the potential for human greatness. Through a series of discourses and parables, Zarathustra encounters various...Paperback$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Twilight of Idols and Anti-Christ
In Twilight of Idols and Anti-Christ, Friedrich Nietzsche presents two of his most provocative and critical works. These texts offer a penetrating analysis of the philosophical and religious ideas that dominated his era. Twilight of Idols serves as an incisive critique of the cultural and intellectual norms of Nietzsche's time. Subtitled "How to Philosophize with a Hammer," the book delivers...Paperback$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Joyous Science
Friedrich Nietzsche’s The Joyous Science is an intellectual journey that invites readers to explore themes of life, art, ethics, and individuality. This philosophical masterwork is celebrated for its candid and fervent engagement with the essence of human existence. Nietzsche beckons readers into a world where traditional values and beliefs are dismantled, culminating in the radical declaration that ‘God is dead’....Paperback$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Why I Am so Clever
46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Why I Am so Clever Why do I know a few more things? Why am I so clever altogether?Paperback$900Elsewhere:$999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Human, All Too Human
Human, All Too Human by Friedrich Nietzsche marks a pivotal moment in the oeuvre of one of philosophy's most provocative thinkers. Written during a period of personal crisis after the end of his friendship with Richard Wagner and his departure from academic life due to ill health, this work illuminates Nietzsche's transition into his mature philosophical phase. Far from merely...Paperback$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Will to Power
The Will to Power is a profound and influential collection of Friedrich Nietzsche's thoughts, detailing some of his most crucial and radical reflections on philosophy. The text delves deep into the recesses of nihilism, metaphysics, the philosophy of morality, and the future of Europe, alongside Nietzsche’s enduring concept of the 'will to power'. The idea proposes that the main driving...Paperback$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
God is Dead. God Remains Dead. And We Have Killed Him.
In God is Dead. God Remains Dead. And We Have Killed Him., renowned philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche explores profound and controversial themes central to the existential movement. The work is a searing critique of religion, morality, and the profound shift in human consciousness that ensues with the death of God. Nietzsche posits a world where traditional beliefs are no longer tenable,...Paperback$1999Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips mid August -
Beyond Good and Evil
A deluxe, high-quality edition of Friedrich Nietzsche’s seminal work Beyond Good and Evil is one of the final books by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. This landmark work continues to be one of the most well-known and influential explorations of moral and ethical philosophy ever conceived. Expanding on the concepts from his previous work Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Nietzsche adopts a polemic...Hardback$2700Elsewhere:$2899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Gay Science
The book Nietzsche called “the most personal of all my books.” It was here that he first proclaimed the death of God—to which a large part of the book is devoted—and his doctrine of the eternal recurrence. Walter Kaufmann's commentary, with its many quotations from previously untranslated letters, brings to life Nietzsche as a human being and illuminates his philosophy....Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips mid August -
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Thus Spoke Zarathustra, penned by the enigmatic Friedrich Nietzsche, is a profound narrative that melds philosophy with literature, encapsulating the existential musings of a prophetic figure named Zarathustra. Emerging from a life of solitude and reflection in the mountains, Zarathustra descends to impart his philosophical revelations to humanity. He seeks to challenge the norms and offers transformative insights that explore...Hardback$2700Elsewhere:$2899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
More from Philosophy & Psychology
View all-
New ReleaseThe Winner's Formula
The Neuroscience of Peak Performance, Success, and Happiness Why do some people win all the time? Why do others languish? From Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, addicts to billionaires, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman has spent decades working to help people understand how to succeed. In The Winner's Formula, Kerry explains what goes on in your brain when you are...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseEat Your Ice Cream
The New York Times bestseller that presents a bold new vision for living well and ageing with purpose from a world-renowned health expert THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From a leading doctor and world-renowned health expert, the simple, uplifting and practical guide to cutting through the wellness noise, living well and ageing with purpose. ‘Essential reading for anyone who...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Man's Search For Meaning
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound, thought-provoking memoir and psychological exploration that delves into the harrowing experiences of life in Nazi concentration camps, intertwined with the author’s groundbreaking theories on existential psychology. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a beacon of hope and a roadmap for finding purpose...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseInside the Box
How to do more with less and use limits to stimulate creativity, innovation and collaboration, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Range. We live in a world that gives us seemingly infinite choices and values freedom above all else. We have an unprecedented number of options regarding what to do, who to be and how to spend our time....Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3900Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Atomic Habits
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a transformative guide that demonstrates how tiny, incremental changes in behaviour can fundamentally reshape your life. Rather than urging sweeping transformations, Clear advocates for the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions. Whether it’s performing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes earlier, or making a brief, focused phone call, these minuscule adjustments,...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Body Keeps the Score
The Body Keeps the Score by Dr Bessel van der Kolk is a compelling and compassionate exploration of the deep-seated impact of trauma on the human body and mind. This groundbreaking work delves into the complex causes of trauma and paints a vivid picture of the revolutionary treatments that are enabling countless individuals to reclaim their lives filled with purpose...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New Release
Tell Me Where It Hurts
Leading expert Rachel Zoffness bridges the gap between medicine and psychology to get to the heart of treating pain We can move the dial on pain Every one of us will experience pain, be it back pain, the pain of childbirth, or living in an ageing body. Not a single one of us will escape. But what if everything you...Hardback$6500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Book of Awakening
A new edition of the #1 NYT's bestseller by Mark Nepo, who has been called "one of the finest spiritual guides of our time" and "a consummate storyteller." Immerse yourself in The Book of Awakening, a compelling spiritual daybook by philosopher-poet and cancer survivor, Mark Nepo. This remarkable work is a profound manual for living a more deeply connected and...Paperback$3999Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Strangers
The must-read memoir of the end of a marriage and the start of a personal revolution, based on the iconic Modern Love essay in the New York Times and perfect for fans of Glennon Doyle. "A beautifully written eulogy for the loss of a relationship" — Joyce Carol Oates How do we go on when a loved one betrays us?...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Anxious Generation
A powerful argument for reclaiming childhood—and all human relationships—from the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author. Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spaces—communities polarised by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around...Paperback$2299Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Strong Ground
#1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown returns with an urgent call to reimagine the essentials of courageous leadership. In a time when uncertainty runs deep and bluster, hubris and even cruelty are increasingly framed as acceptable leadership, Brown delivers practical, actionable insights that illuminate the mindsets and skill sets essential to reclaiming focus and driving growth through connection, discipline and...Hardback$4000Elsewhere:$5500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Stimulated Mind
A practical, empowering plan to boost your day-to-day brain function and prevent dementia - by a renowned neuroscientist and performance coach. 'From day one I was always blown away by Dr Tommy Wood's command of the science from which he communicates.' - Dr Peter Attia, bestselling author of Outlive- The Science and Art of Longevity 'As global health declines, Dr...Paperback$3800Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
